12 
TRAITS OF EN-NOOR'S CHARACTER. 
diately put on his finger with as much glee and pride 
as the gayest Parisian coquette. Yusuf and the 
Sfaxee, being present, swore it was cliamanti ; but I 
am quite sure the old Sheikh understood the com- 
pliment. I also gave him a pair of bellows, a basin, 
and a pint bottle with a little oil it ; with all these 
things he was greatly delighted, continually admiring 
and trying the bellows. When he went out of the 
tent he himself carried all these articles away under 
his arm. 
With reference to our wish to start for Zinder, 
the Sultan says he will send immediately for the 
boat, that it may be ready by the time Dr. Earth 
returns from Aghadez, when he is determined 
himself to take that route. He seems now in the 
enjoyment of good health. I felt much satisfied 
with his visit. Certainly, when I reflect that in the 
northern frontier of Aheer we w T ere pursued for 
several days, like monsters not fit to live, by armed 
bands, this appears to me extraordinary condescension 
on the part of En-Noor. I hope we shall part in a 
friendly manner. This worthy sovereign gives the 
present Sultan of Sakkatou, Ali Bello, the character 
of a miser, but says that his father was a man of 
liberality. He cannot exceed En-Noor himself in 
greediness. 
The bad state of the Bornou route is accounted 
for by the desire the Kailouees have to render it 
unsafe, so that they may have all the caravans come 
along their own route. The same thing is said of the 
